The game with Sunderland under-23s provided no end of entertainment for those in attendance at the Towbar Express Stadium at the Turnbull Ground as the Blues came out on the right end of the 4-3 scoreline secured by Marcus Giles’ 90th minute strike.

There was plenty to ponder at both ends of the pitch for Lee Bullock and Nathan Haslam with Bullock admitting post-match that it had given him and his joint-manager “something to think about.” But even if defending let the Seasiders down at times, they made up for it with some real attacking quality.

As expected, the academy side had plenty of possession which provided a different challenge to what the Blues have become accustomed to in non-league football.

However, they adapted well and made the young Black Cats pay after 11 minutes when ex-Sunderland youngster Coleby Shepherd won the ball back high up the pitch and he was caught from behind giving referee James Bancroft no choice but to point to the spot.

Penalties have been an issue for Town over the last year, but Jacob Hazel made no mistake from 12-yards, smashing the ball down the middle.

The visiting side responded well to falling behind and they were level with 27 minutes played when the exciting 17-year-old winger Ethan Kachosa cut inside before unleashing a superb strike into the top corner of Shane Bland’s goal giving him no chance.

Kachosa looks someone to keep an eye on, and he was on target again six minutes later when he lashed home from close range after Whitby failed to deal with a ball into the box.

With half-time looming, Whitby fought back and levelled with four minutes of the half to go.

Jassem Sukar’s ball forwards found Lewis Hawkins who headed the ball into the path of Bradley Fewster who didn’t need a touch before calmly firing home from the edge of the area.

Sunderland started the second half like a house on fire and would have been 3-2 up were it not for the excellent display from Bland in the Whitby goal.

He firstly denied Nathan Newall before making another blinding save seconds later, this time preventing Stephen Wearne from scoring.

The visitors wouldn’t be denied on 59 minutes though as substitute Tom Scott scored with near enough his first touch, curling the ball away from Bland into the bottom corner.

Sunderland looked in control but Whitby always had a threat on the break and they got themselves level with seven minutes of normal time to play thanks to a stunner from Hazel.

Similarly to his strike in the 3-1 pre-season win at Hebburn Town, the former Scarborough Athletic man brought the ball down under control before unleashing a precise strike on the half-volley which gave substitute keeper Harrison Bond no chance.

Giles then finished with an emphatic finish of his own with one of the last kicks of the game.

Hawkins, who already had one assist to his name, got another as he played a first time ball over the top for the 19-year-old to latch onto and after bringing the ball into the box he helped it fly past Bond who hardly had time to react.